The Breach of Confidentiality

The reason for this post? I feel very violated due to something that someone very close to me did. It wasn't just a friend though. It was my own mother. It wasn't just anyone she talked to, but a police officer.

I'm not a bad person. I've made some mistakes in the past. Maybe pretty bad mistakes. I can't say what it is on here but it's something that I have fixed (made right) and also something that really only hurts me. It doesn't affect anyone else. It's not something terrible like murder or theft or anything like that - so don't think I'm a bad person!

I got really worried and scared one night so I called my mom, just because I needed to get it out. I felt a lot better about it after I told her and I made sure she knew that I was in the process of solving the problem.

Nothing stopped her from talking to the police about it though. The police can't charge me (thank goodness). But, if things go wrong, they could in the future. I have to be insanely carefeul now to make sure I don't do anything close to that again. I thought that my own mother would at least respect my privacy. Maybe even help me through this. No. She tells the police. I don't know if she wants me scared or in trouble. She definitely got me scared, but I'm not in trouble. I can't believe she would do this to me though. I thought we were close. She told me that I could always call her if I was scared or needed any help or anything. That is why I called her at that moment. But I certainly won't anymore.

Bottom line, be careful who you talk to, you never know who could turn on you.

How To Find A Perfect Last Minute Gift

Face it, Christmas arrives before you even realize it's coming up. I start planning for Christmas months early but there are always a couple of last minute gifts to get. The gifts I"m talking about here are more "a 'week before Christmas" rather than "a day before Christmas" ideas.

1. Buy tickets. This can be for almost anyone on your list. Remembert to buy two tickets though. He or she will want to go with someone! Unless you know this person's schedule though, make sure you book it for at least a month after Christmas, so he or she can book it off work or change plans if necessary. It works great for a boyfriend, giflriend, spouse, parent, or sibling.

2. Donate to charity. Giving $30 - $50 to a charity in someone's name is especially nice. You can often give specific gifts which are lots of fun. I donated a goat from CHF to my parents one year. It is nice to pair this with a small gift as well (so the receiver actually gets something). But it is a perfect gift for someone who has everything they need, like parents!

3. Purchase a spa kit. Spa kits are very popular around Christmas time and you can get them in most department stores. Everything is prepackaged and put together so you don't have to do any work. It is a great gift for almost any female.

4. Gift a bottle of wine. Or another type of alcohol that is preferred (maybe your dad loves Crown Royal? maybe your sister loves Jack Daniels?). Go for that. Wine is a safe bet though because, even if the receiver doesn't like that wine, it is still good for guests and dinner parties. Great for anyone of age and who enjoys a bit of drinking.

5. Pick up a gift certificate. It isn't too hard to pick up a $30 - $50 gift certificate to a clothing store, electronic store, or even a department store. For someone who is hard to shop for, it is a great idea because he or she will be able to choose her own gift. This is not a good idea for a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or parent. It is recommended for a sibling, friend, child, niece, nephew, or grandchild.

6. Homemade cookies or chocolate. Yum! If you can bake, this is the way to go. Who can resist chewy homemade chocolate chip cookies? Fresh, rich chocolate mints? This is a great gift for anyone on your list but I have found that it is usually a winner for a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse.

Happy Shopping!

November 2010's Best Songs

1. Rihanna - Only Girl

Incredibly catchy. Has some good remixes as well. Definitely a popular song these days - one that you should not miss out on!

2. Ducksauce - Barbra Streisand

Unique ... that is the most common word used for this song. Great beat. Definitely a club song. It makes you want to get up and dance! Still unique and random.

3. Wynter Gordon - Dirty Talk (Laidback Luke Remix)

It has to be that remix. I mean, the song is pretty awesome, but that remix is the best!

4. Keshia Chante - Table Dancer

Beautiful song. She has an incredible voice that fits this type of music for sure. It is a song that just catches your attention when you hear it.

5. Stromae - Alors On Danse

Wow, enough said! Amazing beat. It just makes you want to get up and dance! Personally, I can't get enough of this song! Perfect at a club or a party.

My Favourite Class

Have you ever had a class where you just wonder why? Why are you there? Why is it necessary? Particularly 8 a.m. classes ... perhaps you know I have an 8 a.m. class that I'm just not fond of ... thus the sarcastic title.

I went to class earlier today and we learned about English. Not bad, except it wasn't English class, it was a completely different class! The even more annoying thing is tha tI know this stuff already. It is stuff that I learned in high school, years ago. Totally unimportant. I have yet to figure out why my professor was talking about it for that dreaded hour of class. Why was I there?

There are often classes like this. I actually have two of them which is very annoying. Sometimes I just feel like I'm ahead of everything and everyone here. I mean, the people here are great, but I feel different. I am way too excited to graduate in five and a half months.

I don't really have any advice for those in a similar situation. Stick it out? I don't know. I just try and keep myself busy. I write (hey, when do you think I have time to write my blogs?). I do other homework. And, most of the time, I just daydream ... and, for those 8 a.m. classes, wish I was asleep!

For those of you with classes like this, just stick it out ... and look forward to the end. It's there!

Lazy Kids

Are kids really lazy nowadays?? I don't think all kids are. How ageist to say such a thing.

I heard these three older people (two men and one woman) on the bus complaining about how lazy young people are. I was sitting near them on my way to a friends to pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child after a long day of work and studying. Really ... I was being lazy?? Who do they think they are talkng about? I'm sure they were referring to me as they kept looking at me and I do look fairly young for my age.

What a stereotype. I'm sure I'll have more to say about this when something else comes up. We aren't all lazy, just like all old people aren't smart. Is that a stereotypical thing to say?

I just really hate it when people make stereotypes. People in general. I know that I get stereotyped sometimes. But it drives me crazy. I don't consider myself lazy at all. I'm a full time college student who has a ridiculous amount of homework (and who still manages to be the top student). I'm working two part time jobs at my college and another job outside of that. I don't volunteer a lot but I give money when I can. I try to be a good person and all that. I hate being judged though.

Younger people get judged even more. Especially high school students. I'm sure that, if someone looks at my younger sister, they would stereotype her as a normal high school girl who goes out and parties and drinks all the time. First off, this is untrue. She prides herself in doing well in school. She has two jobs and she volunteers at a senior citizen home. She also plays competitive sports and other team sports. She does enjoy hanging out with her friends in her free time though. And besides, is it bad to go out and party on the weekends if you have the time and can afford it? I would say not. But that is a different topic, really.

The point is ... not all young people are lazy. Sure, there are some. But those people will likely grow up and still be lazy. It's not a trait of young people. It's a trait of certain people in general.

Think before you stereotype!

Ready For Finals?

It seems like we have just finished midterms and now we have finals to study for? Ridiculous ... I know!! The school year tends to go by sooo fast! I'm never sure if that's a good thing or not.

My biggest piece of advice for finals - start studying NOW! They are going to come sooner than you think! Make sure you know your stuff now. Don't keep putting things off. I've been there and done that and it just doesn't work. Studying early pays off!

What I like to do to study is dedicate one day a week to each subject. It should work okay. You might take an extra day for a difficult subject or something but it should work well on average. For example, I have four subjects this term. So on Monday, I'll study for Subject 1. On Tuesday, I'll study for Subject 2. On Wednesday, I'll study for subject 3. On Thursday, I'll study for Subject 4. Friday is my "make up day". So that's used to study for one of the days that I missed. Saturday is my break day because I don't have time to study on Saturdays. And on Sunday I'll study for Subject 3 because it is the toughest class that I have. Good schedule. You can really make it work for you.

All in all ... final exams may not be starting right now but they'll be done in just over a month. So start studying, all! You can do it. And good luck!

Trying To Volunteer

I have been noticing lately how hard it is to get a volunteer position. I have contacted a number of organizations in my area in the past few months to see what positions are open. I have not heard back from any of them, even to say that they are not accepting volunteers at the present time.

I feel like organizations who have volunteers should be kind and respectful and friendly to those who want to help. I really just wanted to help out somewhere but no one contacted me. It is not like I am under qualified. In fact, I am often over qualified. But organizations being insensitive just makes me want to never volunteer for them or donate my money to them. What happens when they are looking for volunteers next year? I certainly won't volunteer. They couldn't bother with me before so they don't deserve me now.

I'm not going to list names or anything but there have been about ten organizations that I have contacted. Perhaps my message got lost once or something. That may be an excuse for one or two, but not all ten. Either way, I personally am not too pleased with those organizations although I'm not going to name them because they are still good organizations, no matter how poor their customer service is.

It just seems to me that not for profit organizations aren't very friendly to others. They think they are doing a good deed by helping but they aren't helping others help. I feel like I could make a difference if they would let me.

I want to be a good person. I want to make a difference. I want to help people who are less fortunate than me. But no one wants me to. Is that how this world works? They don't even talk to me to find out if I am qualified. They don't get checks on me to see if I have a bad background or something. There is no reason why I shouldn't be able to help someone. But I can't.

It also bothers me when people say that others should be volunteering. Maybe they would, if the organizations would let them. Willing volunteers are not going to bother the organization relentlessly (for the most part) because if the organization doesn't want us, that's the organization's loss.

October 2010's Best Songs

1. Ke$ha - We R Who We R

If you want to move, this is the song for you! I can't get enough of it. It really makes me want to go out and party and dance and just have a lot of fun. That is what Ke$ha's music is good for most of the time anyway - having a good time!

2. Girlicious - 2 In The Morning

I just saw them in concert a couple months ago so I'm still very into them! Their music is, as always, incredible. It is another one of those songs that you just want to dance to and go crazy.

3. Chris Brown - Yeah 3X

His songs are always amazing. It's such a nice song!! I absolutely love his voice, I fall in love with him every time I hear him. It's pretty new, so you should take a listen.

4. Will.i.am and Nicky Minaj - Check It Out

The moment I heard this song, I was like "Video Killed the Radio Star" ... then I wondered why it was on the radio station now. Great song based on a previous great song. These two work wonderfully together.

5. Danny Fernandes - Automatic

Danny Fernandes is, well, pretty amazing himself. If you haven't heard his previous songs (Fantasy, Private Dancer, Never Again), then you are seriously missng out. He is not someone to miss. This song has such a catchy beat.

Is The Grass Always Greener On The Other Side?

I'm mostly thinking of this in terms of relationships. Have you ever been with one guy (or girl) and been unsure of him or her? I have most definitely been in this situation before and it's hard. It's a matter of determining whether or not this other person is worth the risk.

Are you happy with what you have already? Do you feel like there is more out there for you? What do you want with the rest of your life? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself.

In my situation, it was a matter of changing how my perfectly happy and comfortable life had been for three years. I got a glimpse of something new, something different, something exciting. It intrigued me. I had to weigh the pros and cons to see what was the correct choice. As far as I know, I made the right choice. I chose to go with the grass on the other side. But it's not always the right choice. The right choice is to be determined by you.

Gobble Gobble!

Well, it is Thanksgiving for those of us up north (aka Canada - you know, the place with igloos and hockey, eh!). It's always an exciting time around Thanksgiving!

What's your favourite part about Thanksgiving? I absolutely love the turkey dinner!! Turkey is so delicious! With mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries on the side, and a nice pie for dessert. It really doesn't get much better than that!

Of course, there is the most important part of Thanksgiving. That is actually giving thanks! It can be easy to forget with all the delicious food. But it is important to remember to be thankful. First, be thankful for what you have. Family, friends, a job, eduction, etc. It varies on the person. Be thankful for all of that though. And then thank the people around you for helping you or just for being there. Make it a goal to say thank you to three people on Thanksgiving for something that they have done. It can be something small or something big. It could be thanking someone for bringing a pumpkin pie, for doing the dishes, or even just holding the door open for you. Thank them!

Sometimes you don't know how much you can impact someone's day just by saying thank you. I really do appreciate it when someone says thank you for something. Maybe helping them out with homework or giving them directions or, really, anything. It just makes my day. Thanksgiving is about thanking people and making them feel good. Start with your friends and family, and it can make a difference!

The Dreaded Muffin Top

I'm sure we all know what the muffin top is. If not, here is a brief description. It is when people are wearing too tight jeans, skirts, shorts, pants, etc. Because of some extra weight around the belly, it spills over. It is quite unattractive. If you want some images, Google it!

Do you blame the individual for their muffin top? Sometimes, yes. But do you know how hard it is for people, young women specifically, to shop for fashionable jeans or pants that don't cause a muffin top? I do have some extra belly fat. Sure, I'm working to get rid of it, but it doesn't disappear overnight! It is practically impossible to find stylish jeans that aren't "old lady" jeans. It seems that all the jeans I see in stores I shop at are low rise or extreme low rise. I don't want to wear low rise jeans, I would like a medium rise. But it is embarrassing to be shopping at the same store your mom shops at, isn't it?

I don't fully blame it on the individuals. I am sure that I have had this dreaded muffin top and I definitely don't want it! But it is hard to look nice and still fashionable. It's hard to find clothes that don't give you this.

If you have suggestions for stores dedicated to young women that don't have just low rise jeans, feel free to post it, and I'll update my article! As for now, I'll stick with searching hard for nice tops that aren't too tight and cover up the belly!

September 2010's Best Songs

1. Taio Cruz - Dirty Picture ft. Ke$ha
   The intro is a little slow but once you start listening to it, you can't help but love it. It just makes you want to move! The beat is incredible!

2. B.O.B. - Bet It ft. T.I. and Playboy Tre
   The second it starts, you just start dancing. It is one of those songs. I can't stop listening to this one, it is my favourite right now! It is just so catchy.

1. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are
   Amazing words. Who couldn't like the lyrics? And his voice is just incredible. The song is slow, not one of those "get up and dance" songs that I absolutely love. But it is something that everyone can sing along to and it's still fun!

4. Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me ft. David Guetta
   A club song (perhaps indicated by the name of the song). The beat keeps changing which makes it very fun and unique. A song that you certainly couldn't miss this September. It seems to be everywhere. The chorus is one of those "sing along" songs while the verses make you want to move.

5. Kaskade - Fire In Your New Shoes ft. Dragonette
   All I can say is - what a voice! You really fall in love with the both of them after hearing this song. It's unique and catchy. Her voice works so amazingly well with the music. Impressive.